Chamber and committees

I have been in extensive conversations over the years with our national performing companies, and I acknowledge that teaching and the teaching pipeline—the students who come through from our schools into the likes of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland—are very important.

If Ms Smith will allow me to do so, I will write to her with greater detail, because I acknowledge that it is really important that our young people receive investment and support. That is exactly what is happening through the budget process. I gently suggest to Ms Smith that, if she agrees with me that that is important, she votes for the budget.

As the member knows, there has been a significant financial contribution in relation to those issues, particularly in the health and social care budget. I hope that she also recognises that, at the same time, Scotland’s charities and humanitarian relief organisations have done and continue to do a fantastic job.

International development has been supported by Scottish Governments for the past 20 years and has enjoyed cross-party support. I assume that I should conclude from the member’s question that her party is opposed to international development spending and to that consensus. I am very sorry if that is indeed the case.

I agree with Jamie Greene, David Cameron and all the political parties in the chamber that have supported international development over the past 20 years. It is simply very disappointing to see the Conservative Party walking away from that consensus.

The Scottish Government has a long-standing history of supporting young people to engage in the arts through programmes such as the youth music initiative and Sistema Scotland. We are proud that those programmes will receive an uplift in the 2026-27 budget, taking our annual investment in the programmes to £10 million and £2.787 million. Both programmes demonstrate the transformative power of culture, ensuring that young people of all backgrounds have the opportunity to enjoy music and wider arts.

I agree with Jamie Greene, David Cameron and all the political parties in the chamber that have supported international development over the past 20 years. It is simply very disappointing to see the Conservative Party walking away from that consensus.

I have been in extensive conversations over the years with our national performing companies, and I acknowledge that teaching and the teaching pipeline—the students who come through from our schools into the likes of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland—are very important.

If Ms Smith will allow me to do so, I will write to her with greater detail, because I acknowledge that it is really important that our young people receive investment and support. That is exactly what is happening through the budget process. I gently suggest to Ms Smith that, if she agrees with me that that is important, she votes for the budget.

I am proud to confirm that, as the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government set out in her statement to Parliament, while others are choosing to reduce commitments to international development, we in Scotland will increase our international development fund by a quarter to £16 million. We have also reaffirmed our commitment to climate justice, with more than £12 million allocated to support for vulnerable communities in the global south, particularly women and young people.

As the budget is currently in draft, we await final agreement through the parliamentary process before confirming allocations and spending plans for next year that reflect the proposed uplift.

As the member knows, there has been a significant financial contribution in relation to those issues, particularly in the health and social care budget. I hope that she also recognises that, at the same time, Scotland’s charities and humanitarian relief organisations have done and continue to do a fantastic job.

International development has been supported by Scottish Governments for the past 20 years and has enjoyed cross-party support. I assume that I should conclude from the member’s question that her party is opposed to international development spending and to that consensus. I am very sorry if that is indeed the case.

As the member knows, there has been a significant financial contribution in relation to those issues, particularly in the health and social care budget. I hope that she also recognises that, at the same time, Scotland’s charities and humanitarian relief organisations have done and continue to do a fantastic job.

International development has been supported by Scottish Governments for the past 20 years and has enjoyed cross-party support. I assume that I should conclude from the member’s question that her party is opposed to international development spending and to that consensus. I am very sorry if that is indeed the case.

I have been in extensive conversations over the years with our national performing companies, and I acknowledge that teaching and the teaching pipeline—the students who come through from our schools into the likes of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland—are very important.

If Ms Smith will allow me to do so, I will write to her with greater detail, because I acknowledge that it is really important that our young people receive investment and support. That is exactly what is happening through the budget process. I gently suggest to Ms Smith that, if she agrees with me that that is important, she votes for the budget.